Paper dispenser



Oct. 27, 1964 I c. w. GAGE 3,154,232

PAPER DISPENSER Filed Aug. 16, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet l Q INVENTOR. FIG. 2 8 CHARLES w. 6A5:

ZV-CZMJ ATTORNEY Oct. 27, 1964 Filed Aug. 16, 1961 c. w. GAGE 3,154,232

PAPER DISPENSER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 F l G. 3

26 FIG. 4

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Oct. 27, 1964 c. w. GAGE 3,

PAPER DISPENSER Filed Aug. 16, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 fi vgz F l G 5 [4 Y za as INVENTOR.

CHARLES w. GAGE BY F 6 7 47.4%

ATTORNEY Oct. 27, 1964 c. w. GAGE 3,154,232

' PAPER DISPENSER Filed Aug. 16, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 lll\/IlII/I F IG. 9

INVENTOR. F 8 CHARLES W. GAGE ATTORNEY United States Patent ()fiice 3,154,232 Patented Oct. 27, 1964 3,154,232 PAPER DISPENSER Charles W. Gage, 420 S. 26th St, South Bend, Ind. Filed Aug. 16, 1961, Ser. No. 131,869 2 Claims. (Cl. 225-47) The present invention relates to a paper dispenser, and more particularly to a holder and dispenser for a roll of paper such as a roll of toilet paper, paper toweling and the like.

Most conventional paper holders and dispensers for toilet paper rolls on the market today contain a roller or pin for supporting the roll, the roller usually being rotatable and often loosely mounted on or in the holder. This type of construction produces a relatively loud noise when the paper is being removed from the roll and, since the holder is almost invariably mounted on a wall, this sound is transmitted readily through the wall into adjoining rooms and/or throughout the home, apartment or other building. While there are a few types available which minimize the sound created by the removal of paper from the roll, these types are often complicated in structure and hence relatively expensive, or are diflicult to load and reload and inconvenient to use and maintain in serviceable condition. It is therefore one of the principal objects of the invention to provide a holder and dispenser for rolls of toilet paper and the like which can be operated silently regardless of the size of the roll remaining therein and which can be readily and simply loaded and reloaded with merely the manipulation of one or two easily reached and operated parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toilet paper holder and dispenser which will readily adapt itself to various sized rolls and still operate in the same noisefree manner regardless of the diameter of the roll.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a paper roll holder and dispenser in which the roll is supported only externally and which cannot be accidentally pulled from the holder by a sudden pull or jerk while a section or strip of paper is being pulled from the roll.

A further object is to provide a compact, easily fabricated and installed paper roll holder and dispenser of the aforesaid type which can readily be adapted to installation on the external surface of a wall or other supporting structure or be installed by recessing the holder in a wall, leaving the front of the holder flush with the wall surface.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser for toilet paper, paper toweling and the like in which the free end of the paper can readily be found and grasped when a strip is to be removed from the roll and from which the section or strip can easily be torn when the desired length has been unwound from the roll, thereafter leaving the free end of the roll in a convenient, easily reached position and condition for further removal of paper from the roll.

Another object is to provide a device of the aforesaid type which is attractive, yet discreet in appearance, with the roll partially or fully concealed, and which can be constructed of a variety of materials including metal, plastic and wood in various forms and colors.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of the present dispenser having mounted therein a roll of paper;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical cross sectional view of the holder and dispenser shown in FIGURE 1, taken on line 22 of the latter figure;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical cross sectional view of the paper holder and dispenser shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, taken on line 3-3 of the latter figure;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the paper holder and dispenser shown in the preceding figures with the roll of paper removed therefrom;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical cross sectional view of a modified form of the present paper holder and dispenser;

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of the modified form of the paper holder and dispenser shown in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a vertical cross sectional view through a slightly modified form of the present paper holder and dispenser and a portion of a wall structure in which the holder is recessed;

FIGURE 8 is a vertical cross sectional view of a further modified form of the present paper holder and dispenser; and

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary top plan view of the modified form of the holder and dispenser shown in FIG- URE 8.

Referring more specifically to the drawings and the form of the present invention shown in FIGURES 1 through 4, the present holder and dispenser for a roll of paper 10, such as a conventional roll of toilet paper or kitchen toweling and the like, consists of end members 12 and 14 joined rigidly at their rear and adjacent marginal edges to back and bottom portions 16 and 18, respectively, the back and bottom portions being integrally joined together by a curved section 26, forming a smooth and continuous surface from back portion 16 to I bottom portion 18. The ends 12 and 14 and back and bottom portions 16 and 18 and connecting section 20 are preferably formed of metal or plastic sheet, and rigidly joined together to form a rigid and permanent structure. The back portion may be placed against a wall 22 or the like, or other suitable supporting structure, and secured thereto by one or more screws 23 extending through the upper portion of the back into the wall. The bottom portion slopes inwardly and downwardly fiom the front edge thereof so that the roll of paper will tend to roll to the rear of the holder. A lip 24 on the edge of extension 26 facilitates tearing of the paper and removal of a section or strip thereof of the desired length. A cross member 28 may be inserted beneath extension 26 and joined integrally thereto and to the end members 12 and 14 to improve the appearance of the unit and to strengthen extension 26 as well as generally reinforcing the complete holder structure.

0ne of the important features of the present invention is the fact that paper may be removed from the roll without the roll jostling around within the holder and thereby creating a noise or vibration which may be transmitted to adjoining rooms or throughout the structural support for the holder. This is accomplished primarily by the curvature of connecting portion 20 and the angularity of bottom 18, such that the roll of paper always tends to seat itself adjacent the rear of the holder. However, in order to prevent the roll from being dislodged in the event the free end of the roll is jerked or pulled suddenly, a securing means is included in the holder, consisting of two substantially vertical grooves 32 and 34 in the ends 12 and 14, respectively, and a roller 36 having a shaft 38 extending axially through the roller and containing extensions 40 and 42 for seating in grooves 32 and 34, respectively. In place of shaft 38, two separate pins seated in opposite ends of roller 36 and positioned axially therein may be used. Shaft 38 is preferably tightly inserted in a centrally located hole in roller 36 so that no substantial play is possible between the shaft and the roller, thus eliminating any possibility of noise being created between these two elements. Preferably, roller 36 is constructed of soft, light material such as balsa wood or foam plastic and is larger than the conventional roller, possibly being larger enough to fit snugly in tube 39 of paper roll 10. Shaft 38 is preferably of wood, metal or plastic. It should be noted from FIGURE 2 in particular that the roll of paper is not supported at any time by roller 36, the roller merely forming the function of preventing or restricting the forward movement of the roll of paper when the free end thereof is pulled forwardly. The tendency for the roll of paper, however, to become dislodged is normally counteracted effectively by the rotation of the roll as the free end is pulled forwardly from beneath the roll, since the roll for proper operation of the present holder and dispenser is placed in the holder with the free end extending under the roll and outwardly therefrom along bottom 18 and extension 26. The bot-tom of grooves 32 and 34 extends downwardlyin the respective end members sufi'iciently that projections 40 and 42 will not prevent the roller from resting .firmly on bottom 18 if no roll is in the holder. The width of grooves 32 and 34 with respect to the diameter of extensions 40 and 42 is such that the extensions fit rather snugly within the grooves, but the grooves do not in any way bind or interfere with the free movement of the extensions up and down in the grooves. The upper ends of the two grooves are preferably tapered outwardly as shown at numeral 44 in order to facilitate insertion of the extensions in the respective grooves.

In the operation of the foregoing holder and dispenser, the roll of paper 10' containing hollow central tube 39 is placed in the holder by first inserting roller 36 through the tube with extensions 40 and 42 projecting beyond the ends thereof, and the extensions are dropped in their respective grooves 32 and 34. The roll is placed in the holder with the free end of the paper extending downwardly along connecting portion 20 and bottom 18, with the end thereof extending to or over lip 24. Whenever paper is to be removed from the roll, the end of the paper, which is always held in a fixed position by projection 26, is grasped between the fingers and pulled forwardly until the desired length of strip is removed from the roll. Thereafter, the strip is pulled downwardly over lip 24 causing the paper to tear smoothly along lip 24. While the strip of paper is being pulled from the roll, the roll rotates, tending tovroll inwardly and upwardly along the inner surface of portion 20. This causes extensions 40 and 42 to continually engage the rear surface of grooves 32 and 34, and thereby to prevent any rattling or other noise from being created between projections 40 and 42 and the sides if the grooves. As the paper is removed from the roll 10, roller 36 and extensions 40 and 42 gradually move downwardly until the paper is completely removed from tube 39. Thereafter the tube and roller are lifted vertically to displace extensions 40 and 42 from the respective grooves. The tube is then removed from roller 36, and a new roll of paper inserted thereon, and the roll inserted in the holder in the manner previously described.

The holder and dispenser designed for recessing in a wall is illustrated in FIGURE 7. The construction of the complete holder is similar in most respects to that shown in the preceding figures, the primary difference being in the fact that a top 60 encloses the entire unit with the exception of the front, which is substantially fully exposed. In order to permit extensions 40 and 42 to be seated in grooves 32 and 34, the upper ends 62 are extended forwardly and provide an opening 64 through which the extensions may be inserted. Preferably, the forward edge of the top, the two side members and the bottom are provided with flanges for seating against the front surface of the wall. The modified form shown in FIGURE 7 is operated in the same manner as the holder shown in FIGURES 1 through 4. p

A further modified form of the invention is illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6 in which most of the structural elements thereof are the same as those shown in FIGURES 1 through 4. However, in the last modification a pair of rollers 70 and 72 are placed in longitudinal grooves 74 and 76 in bottom 18, thereby facilitating rotation of the roll of paper when the free end thereof is pulled forwardly. The rollers 7 0 and 72 are preferably sufliciently long to seat in recesses 78 and 80' in the end members, these recesses constituting an extension of grooves 32 and V 34. In order to permit the rollers to be inserted in the recesses, a connecting section 82 is provided so that the rollers can he slipped downwardly in the grooves and seated in their respective grooves 74 and 76.

A further modified form is shown in FIGURES 8 and 9, consisting essentially of the same elements as those shown in FIGURES 1 through 4. However, in the latter modification the bottom is extended upwardly to form an outwardly curved extension and lip 92. In this form the holder can be used without roller 36, since the forward edge 94 of the bottom will retain the roll in place. However, for satisfactory operation it is usually necessary to insert the roller in the roll in the manner previously described, and then seated extensions 40 and 42 in their respective grooves. In this modified form, the grooves are formed by ribs 96 and 98 on the internal surface of end members 12 and 14. This modification of the present holder can be mounted in the same manner as those previously described.

While applicant has described several forms of the present invention in detail herein and certain modifications thereof, various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim: 1. A holder and dispenser for a roll of paper having an axial hole therethrough, comprising panel like end members spaced from one another, a straight vertically positioned back joined to said end members, a bottomjoined to said end members and slanting upwardly and forwardly, an arcuate section connecting said back and bottom, a forwardly extending lip on said bottom extending the full length thereof, said end members containing substantially vertical grooves extending from the top of the members to a point adjacent the bottom a short distance forwardly of a line extending vertically from the point of juncture between said bottom and arcuate section and having an enlarged portion at the top thereof, a roller for receiving said roll and extending through the hole therein, a shaft extending axially through said roller and into the grooves in the end members, said shaft being substantially the same diameter as the Width of said grooves, two recesses in the bottom adjacent said arcuate section, an extension of each groove connected to said recesses, and a roller in each of said recesses projecting into said groove extensions.

2. A holder and dispenser for a roll of paper having an axial hole therethrough, comprising end members spaced from one another, a straight vertically positioned back joined to said end members, a bottom joined to said end members and slanting downwardly and rearwardly, an arcuate section connecting said back and bottom, a forwardly extending lip on said bottom extending the full length thereof, said end members containing substantially vertical grooves extending from the top of the member to a point adjacent the bottom, each groove being positioned substantially directly above the point of juncture between said bottom and arcuate section, a roller for receiving said roll, pin-like members projecting axially from the ends of said roller into said grooves, said pin-like members being substantially the same diameter as the Width of said grooves, a longitudinal recess in the bottom adjacent said arcuate section, an extension of each groove connected to said recess, and a roller in said recess projecting into said groove extensions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Cole Oct. 12, 1886 Knilans Sept. 4, 1906 Wolf June 25, 1918 Meglitz Dec. 8, 1942 Schultz Jan. 10, 1956 Johnson Oct. 17, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Dec. 15, 1927 Denmark Jan. 28, 1952 

1. A HOLDER AND DISPENSER FOR A ROLL OF PAPER HAVING AN AXIAL HOLE THERETHROUGH, COMPRISING PANEL LIKE END MEMBERS SPACED FROM ONE ANOTHER, A STRAIGHT VERTICALLY POSITIONED BACK JOINED TO SAID END MEMBERS, A BOTTOM JOINED TO SAID END MEMBERS AND SLANTING UPWARDLY AND FORWARDLY, AN ARCUATE SECTION CONNECTING SAID BACK AND BOTTOM, A FORWARDLY EXTENDING LIP ON SAID BOTTOM EXTENDING THE FULL LENGTH THEREOF, SAID END MEMBERS CONTAINING SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL GROOVES EXTENDING FROM THE TOP OF THE MEMBERS TO A POINT ADJACENT THE BOTTOM A SHORT DISTANCE FORWARDLY OF A LINE EXTENDING VERTICALLY FROM THE POINT OF JUNCTURE BETWEEN SAID BOTTOM AND ARCUATE SECTION AND HAVING AN ENLARGED PORTION AT THE TOP THEREOF, A ROLLER 